module specification

This module aims to provide an overview of key perspectives on psychological and emotional wellbeing. It considers the links of physical and psychological health – and explores factors that influence emotional wellbeing, and how this in turn links to educational outcomes. It is aimed at students who are interested in promoting health and wellbeing through education in its broadest sense – be this schools, further/higher education settings or local communities – or other educational settings such as sport clubs, youth centres or libraries. The focus of the module is on older children and adults. It helps students to promote mental and emotional health – and provide help on a first aid basis.

The module aims to
- Expand understanding of the wellbeing continuum
- Develop an awareness of the social and cultural factors that influence mental health
- Explore the links between wellbeing and educational outcomes
- Enable students to undertake basic mental health first aid

Week  1-2: Introduction to personal wellbeing and mental health
Weeks 3-4: Exploring links between mental health and educational outcomes
Weeks 5-7: Getting to know professional support systems
Weeks 8- 10: First aid
Weeks 11-13: Discussing implications for professional practice, prevention strategies
Weeks 14-15: Reflection and evaluation

Basic content is delivered via lectures, but students are expected to read relevant material before and/or after sessions, which is available via Weblearn. Seminars and workshops will be used to reflect on lecture content – and develop professional practice. These sessions are participatory and interactive.

By the end of the module, students will be able to:
- Explain some of the links between mental and physical wellbeing
- Reflect on the influence of social and cultural factors on mental health
- Analyse the links between wellbeing and educational outcomes
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of emotional distress - and know how to guide others in the right direction towards support

1. Online test: Basic knowledge and understanding of the most common mental health issues and their causes.

2. In-class test: First aid strategies.

3. Essay: 1500 word reflection on the importance of personal wellbeing and its relevance for professional practice in educational settings.

Bentall, R. P. (2004). Madness explained: Psychosis and human nature. London: Penguin.
Green, H., McGinnity, A., Meltzer, H., Ford, T. & Goodman, R. (2005). Mental health of children and young people in Great Britain, 2004: Summary London: National Statistics. Available at:
http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB06116/ment-heal-chil-youn-peop-gb-2004-rep2.pdf
Gutman, L. M. & Vorhaus, J. (2012). The impact of pupils’ behaviour and wellbeing and their educational outcomes. London: Department for Education. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/219638/DFE-RR253.pdf
Johnson, R. J., Turner, R. J. & Link, B. G., ed. (2014). Sociology of mental health: Selected topics from 1970s-2010s. London: Springer.
Newton, J. (2007). Mental health and mental illness, chapt. 16. In Adams, R. (ed.) Foundations of health and social care. London: Palgrave.
Oguz, S., Merad, S. & Snape, D. (2013). Measuring national well-being – What matters most to personal well-being? Office for National Statistics. Available at: http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171766_312125.pdf
Public Health England (2015) Promoting children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing A whole school and college approach https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/414908/Final_EHWB_draft_20_03_15.pdf
Pilgrim, D. (2014). Key concepts in mental health. London: Sage.
Rogers, A. & Pilgrim,, D. (2014, 5th Edition). A Sociology of mental health and illness. London: Open University Press.
Scull, A. (2011). Madness: A very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Tew, J. (2011). Social approaches to mental distress. Palgrave Macmillan.
Burton, M., Pavord, E. & Williams, B., ed. (2014). An introduction to child and adolescent mental health. London: Sage.
First Aid:                         Mental Health First Aid England   http://mhfaengland.org/
                                         Mental Health First Aid USA         http://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/cs/

                                         Mental Health First Aid Australia   https://mhfa.com.au/cms/home